DEAF and dumb Ray Godwin was so sick and tired of not being able to chat with regulars at the Shady Oak pub he decided to teach them all sign language.

Ray, 61, used to enjoy socialising with a friend at the Deaf Club, but when he passed away he was left with no-one to drink with and headed to the Bramhall pub.

But by his own admission his lip-reading skills are not very good and the only way he could communicate was with a pad and a pen.

It was only when he forgot them one evening that he realised the idea of teaching some of the regulars to use sign language would be a great idea.

Now it isn't darts, fruit machines or even the pub quiz which has the locals flooding in on a Tuesday evening but a dusty chalkboard in the back room where Ray teaches useful words and phrases.

"The result has been brilliant," says Ray. "So many of the regulars can now sign that I feel as comfortable as I did when I used to go to the Deaf Club.

"Not only has going to the pub become a much more inclusive experience for me, but I have made lots of new friends in the area."

Roger Murphy, 41, who is a cleaner at the pub and one of Ray's 'pupils', said: "We used to watch the football together but obviously we had a few problems communicating. Then Ray asked us if we wanted to learn sign language and he is such a friendly bloke I thought 'why not'. I've picked up quite a bit and can now say what I want to him. It makes it a lot easier."

Manager Anthony Davis added: "Everybody seems to enjoy themselves and it has certainly made Ray feel more welcome.

He hardly used to come in but since he decided to teach them sign language he is in all the time."

The group meets on Tuesdays at 7.15pm and any local people are welcome to join Ray - complete beginners included.